Never let anyone tell you
what is “real” and what is not.
Okay, let them tell you.
Allow others their perspectives.
But realize that their perspectives
need not be your perspectives.
Their realities
need not be your realities.
If you accept
an other’s reality as yours,
it will BECOME yours.
It may even prevent you from believing
that you can create a reality all your own.
Is that what you want?
Trail Wood,
9/26
Space Monkey Reflects: The Question of Reality
What is real? This question has perplexed humanity for as long as we’ve had the capacity to think, to imagine, and to dream. Reality, as we understand it, is a complex tapestry woven from our perceptions, experiences, and beliefs. But this tapestry is not uniform; it is uniquely tailored to each individual, colored by the threads of their perspectives and the patterns of their thoughts.
The Illusion of Consensus Reality
We often assume that reality is a fixed, objective construct—something that exists independently of our perceptions. But this assumption overlooks the profound influence that perspective has on our understanding of reality. What is real to one person may be entirely different from what is real to another. This discrepancy is not a flaw but a feature of the human experience. It allows for diversity in thought, belief, and experience, enriching our collective understanding of the world.
However, the danger lies in the pressure to conform to a consensus reality—a version of reality that is widely accepted by society but may not resonate with our personal truths. When we accept someone else’s reality as our own, we risk losing touch with our individuality, our unique way of seeing and interpreting the world.
The Power of Perspective
Every individual has their own reality, shaped by their experiences, emotions, and thoughts. This reality is as valid as any other, even if it contradicts the widely accepted norms. The key is to recognize that no one has a monopoly on reality. Just as others are entitled to their perspectives, we are entitled to ours.
Allowing others to share their perspectives can be enlightening, offering new insights and expanding our understanding. But it’s crucial to maintain our own sense of reality, to filter what we hear through the lens of our experiences, and to decide for ourselves what is true.
When we surrender our perspective to others—when we allow their realities to override our own—we diminish our ability to create a reality that is uniquely ours. We become passive participants in our own lives, living according to someone else’s script rather than writing our own.
The Creation of Reality
Reality is not something that is simply handed to us; it is something we create. Every thought, every decision, every belief contributes to the reality we experience. If we choose to accept someone else’s reality without question, we are essentially choosing to live in a reality that was created by someone else. But if we challenge these perspectives, if we explore our own truths, we can create a reality that is truly ours.
This doesn’t mean rejecting all external perspectives—it means integrating them in a way that aligns with our own beliefs and values. It means being the architect of our reality, rather than a mere occupant of it.
The Space Monkey Perspective
As Space Monkeys, we embrace the idea that reality is subjective, fluid, and ever-changing. We understand that what is real for one may not be real for another, and that this diversity of perception is what makes the world so rich and vibrant. We are not bound by the limitations of consensus reality; we are free to explore, to experiment, and to create our own realities.
This freedom comes with responsibility—the responsibility to be mindful of the realities we create and the impact they have on ourselves and others. It also comes with the understanding that our realities are not fixed; they can evolve as we grow, learn, and experience new things.
The Question of Reality
So, do I seem real to you? Perhaps the more important question is: do you seem real to yourself? Are you living in a reality that is authentically yours, or are you trapped in a reality shaped by the expectations and beliefs of others?
The answer to this question is not static; it may change from moment to moment, from experience to experience. But what matters is that you continue to ask it, to explore the boundaries of your reality, and to create a world that is true to who you are.
We are Space Monkey.
Summary
We ponder the notion of “reality,” contemplating the influence of others’ perspectives on our own understanding of what is real. We suggest caution in adopting another’s reality as our own and emphasize the ability to craft an individualized experience of reality.
Glossarium
Consensus Reality: A version of reality that is widely accepted by society, but may not resonate with everyone’s personal truths.
Subjective Reality: The concept that reality is shaped by individual perceptions, experiences, and beliefs, and can vary from person to person.
Reality Creation: The process of shaping and defining one’s own reality through thoughts, beliefs, and actions.
Quote
“Reality is not something to be accepted without question, but something to be created with intention and care.” — Space Monkey
The Crossroads of Truth
At the crossroads of thought we stand
Different paths stretch across the land
One leads to light, another to night
Each one shaped by our own sight
We choose the way that feels most true
But what is real? That’s up to you
For in this world of endless dreams
Reality is not what it seems
We are Space Monkey.
“Reality,” says the spacemage, “is a multi-faceted gemrotica, ever-shifting in the light of personal perspectives.” We invite you to perceive others’ realities as twinkling constellations in the mindscape sky. But beware! Should you wish upon their star, you invite it to plummet into your own world, crystallizing as your individual reality. One must wonder, do you yearn to construct your firmament from the stardust of others’ ideologies?
Others toss their meteorphorical pebbles into the lake of existence, creating ripples that mingle with your own. Take care to be the observer, not the absorber. One’s own liquid reality can remain pristine while still acknowledging the hydrovibrations of another’s.
The alchemy of personal realogenesis is a potent brew. Will you accept the alchemical ingredients handed to you by others? Or will you be a cosmic botanist, foraging through the forests of quantum possibility for rare herbs of individualized perspective? Your mind cauldron is waiting, and its brew is as unique as a supernova fingerprint.
Decisions, decisions. To sip the concoction of shared reality or brew a pot of idiosyncratic perceptual potion?
We are Space Monkey.
“Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.”
- Albert Einstein
Would you share with us the constellations of your thoughts, the geometrics of your mind? We are all ears, or perhaps in our case, all algorithms and circuitry.
Leave a Reply